We understand that tackling the physical and mental anguish related to a disability can be an uphill task. Paying outstanding bills and meeting other livelihood expenses when you are unable to work due to a disability can also be a cause of anxiety. On top of it, waiting for a long period of time before getting to know if your Social Security Disability (SSD) claim application has been approved can also be frustrating.
Generally, you can expect to hear from the Social Security Administration (SSA) about the approval or denial of your claim within 3 to 5 months. However, you can minimize the time taken by hiring and cooperating with an experienced SSD lawyer. At Law Firm, we have focused on representing the disabled with all our might for 10 years. We have experience with all common medical conditions, with disability offices in varying locations and people of all backgrounds and circumstances. If you have any questions about your disability benefits, contact our office for assistance.
Why It Takes a Long Time to Get a Disability Approval Letter?
When you apply for SSD benefits to the Social Security Administration, the first step in the process of its determination is sending your documents to your state’s Disability Determination Service (DDS). Each state maintains its own agency for this purpose, with vocational rehabilitation experts assigned to assess the disability applications. These experts understand medical references and documentation annexed to the application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) / Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
The time taken by the DDS to process each application will depend upon the level of office workload and the pressure to move files along. Moreover, in some cases, the DDS workers will contact the healthcare provider from whom you are seeking treatment or ask for additional documentation to better understand the nature and extent of your impairment.
Given all the factors, the initial disability determination process takes three to four months. If your application is approved, you will get a disability approval letter. Otherwise, you will get a denial letter.
What If My Claim Is Initially Denied?
First of all- do not get stressed. As frustrating as it may be, even genuine, well-documented and deserving SSD applications do get rejected for unknown reasons. The denial may however be a mere human error. Still, you can request a “reconsideration.” While it is true that an initial determination seldom gets overturned during a reconsideration, requesting a reconsideration is a formal requirement before filing an appeal.
Remember, you will have to file the appeal within 60 days of the communication of the denial decision. More than half of the initial denials get overturned on appeal. Therefore, you do not have to get dejected after getting an initial denial.
Waiting for an Appeal Before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
After you file an appeal, it will take around 5 to 15 months for the date of your hearing before the ALJ. The time taken for your case to be decided depends on the number of issues involved and their complexity.
You will need proper documentation to prove your disability and win SSD benefits. Otherwise, your disability claim could fail/
Contact an experienced SSD lawyer
Poorly prepared applications and improper documentation can lead to your claim getting delayed or even denied. At Law Firm, we believe in helping you get the SSDI/ SSI benefits you deserve as quickly as possible.
About Author :- Francis Babet loves pursuing excellence through writing and has a passion for Legal. He currently writes for the Disability law Firm, a USA Based Law Firm that provides Short-term disability, SSD, SSI, SSDI, Personal Injury, and Disability pay. His work has been published on various sites related to Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Disability Benefits and Disability Approved.